Director of Food Systems and Agriculture Policy, VPA

Vanderbilt University • United States,

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Food Systems and Agriculture Policy is part of the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator (VPA) in the Law School at Vanderbilt University. This role is responsible for the development and implementation of the food systems and agriculture policy agenda and research portfolio. The Director will provide strategic policy guidance and programmatic oversight of key VPA priorities in food production, distribution, agricultural regulation, rural economic development, and related governance challenges. The Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator (VPA) focuses on cutting-edge topics in political economy and regulation, aiming to mature and elevate research, education, and policy proposals. VPA is action-focused, seeking to accelerate developments in education, research, policy, and public debate.

Requirements

• A master’s degree in food policy, agriculture, environmental law, public policy, or relevant field is necessary.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in food systems regulation, agricultural policy, rural economic development, or related areas, with demonstrated knowledge of federal and state agriculture programs, USDA policy, and/or food supply chain governance or relevant industry is necessary.
• Candidates should have an interest in economic policy, political economy, regulation, and/or law.
• Demonstrated high levels of integrity, honesty, and openness to create strong and enduring collaboration with key leaders across the institution and community is necessary.
• Executive level interpersonal and communication skills are necessary.
• Ability to demonstrate maturity, creativity and initiative in expanding the Law School’s presence locally and nationally is necessary.
• Ability to make sound administrative/procedural decisions using a high level of discernment is necessary.
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects is necessary.
• Ability to provide technical advice and information to staff in area of expertise is necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a higher education setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the food systems and agriculture policy agenda and research portfolio.
• Evaluate pressing challenges in food systems and agriculture policy, working closely with the faculty director and executive director to develop and implement a comprehensive policy agenda.
• Develop a suite of new papers and policy proposals on topics of agriculture, food systems regulation, and rural economic development with an emphasis on building regional food economies.
• Manage relevant public relations, media, press, and internal and external communications in consultation with the faculty director and executive director.
• Responsible for project management of key initiatives in consultation with the executive director, ensuring administrative accuracy and integrity of VPA.
• Advise on key components of the VPA budget in consultation with the executive director.
• Expand outreach on key issue areas, overseeing the development of effective relationships and partnerships with local, regional, and national partners, stakeholders, and funders—including farm advocacy groups, food policy councils, rural development organizations, and relevant federal and state agencies. Manage outward-facing representation of VPA as a formal representative.
• Produce research, white papers, policy briefs, and other policy communications like op-eds on key VPA priorities.
• Research, draft, and oversee the rollout of white papers, including academic publications and other policy products to be released by VPA.
• Draft and oversee the development of policy briefs and other policy communications on key VPA priorities—including press releases, social media copy, and op-eds—that promote VPA’s work on food systems and agriculture policy proposals.
• Advise and direct the work of policy analysts.
• Advise on overall VPA policy agenda and related political and communications strategy.
• Provide strategic advice and guidance to the faculty director and executive director in the execution of VPA’s mission and administration of key programs.
• Manage and support programming, initiatives, and partnerships related to VPA priorities, including academic conferences and meetings and briefings with academics, public officials, and other stakeholders.
• Manage conferences, events, and other programming related to the food systems and agriculture policy portfolio.
• Support programming across the VPA portfolio as needed.
• Plan and execute meetings and briefings with academics, public officials, and other stakeholders.
• Oversee the day-to-day work product of junior staff and policy analysts.
• Directly manage junior staff and contractors working on rural policy, food systems, and agriculture policy projects.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director